In this week’s episode of The Venue RX podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Cassie LaMere, founder of Cassie LaMere Events. Cassie opens up about her journey in the event planning industry, sharing how her personal experiences ignited a passion for crafting meaningful, impactful events. She explores the evolving world of corporate events, offering insights into how venues can tap into opportunities beyond weddings. Cassie also highlights the power of networking, the value of distinctive event spaces, and shares practical strategies for venue owners to boost their visibility and appeal. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the creative potential of nontraditional spaces and how the industry continues to shift toward more personalized, experience-driven gatherings.

About Our Guest: 

Cassie LaMere is the Founder and Creative Director of Cassie LaMere Events, a premier luxury event planning firm known for creating extraordinary experiences with precision and style. With over 15 years in the industry, Cassie blends her passion for celebration with an eye for detail, designing bespoke events that reflect each client’s unique vision.

Driven by a philosophy of personalization and authenticity, Cassie leads a talented team dedicated to elevating every aspect of the guest experience. From intimate gatherings to high-profile corporate affairs, her events are known for their seamless execution, thoughtful design, and unforgettable moments.

Cassie’s influence extends beyond planning—she’s a recognized leader in the industry and an active community advocate, serving on the board for the Center for Child Protection and earning nominations such as Austin Under 40. Her work continues to inspire, redefine standards, and leave a lasting impact.

Find Her Here: 

Tel: 323.369.2432

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://www.cassielamereevents.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassielamereevents/ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassielamereevents/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cassielamereevents?lang=en

In this week’s episode of The Venue RX podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Vanessa Fuller of Chivari, a leading supplier of event furniture. Vanessa shares her expertise on selecting and maintaining rental inventory for wedding venues, emphasizing the importance of aesthetics, meeting client expectations, and streamlining operations. She highlights Chivari’s commitment to color consistency, personalized customer service, and proactive inventory management. Vanessa also breaks down current trends in rental furniture, stresses the need for timely orders, and explains how Chivari’s extensive geographic reach supports venues across the country. Through her consultation services, Vanessa helps venue owners make confident, informed decisions—demonstrating her dedication to quality and client success.

About Our Guest: 

Founded in 2007, Chivari has grown from a small, family-owned venture into one of the most respected and recognized names in the event furniture industry. Headquartered in the United States with an international footprint, Chivari specializes in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of high-quality event furniture, with a strong emphasis on their signature Chiavari chairs. Over the years, their catalog has expanded to include banquet tables, barstools, folding chairs, dance floors, accessories, and other stylish furnishings tailored to meet the demands of weddings, galas, corporate events, and luxury gatherings.

Chivari stands out in the industry for offering affordably luxurious products that blend timeless elegance with commercial-grade durability. Their team is dedicated to helping venues, rental companies, and event professionals source furniture that not only looks beautiful but also holds up to the demands of repeated use. Chivari's commitment to consistent color matching, high-quality materials, and innovative design solutions ensures that every piece delivered meets the highest standards.

Find Them Here: 

Phone: (305) 487-8960

Email: [email protected]

X: https://twitter.com/ChivariChair

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/chivaricompany/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chivari.co/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChiavariChairCompany/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDnrEWc1d5ZZVyLFckPFcDQ

In this episode of The Venue Rx podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Kyle LaBarre, a venue owner and industry coach, to explore his journey in the wedding venue business. Kyle shares his experience acquiring and transforming Black Oak, detailing the strategies he used to grow the venue, including refining sales processes and navigating challenges like liquor licensing in Texas.

Kyle discusses his transition into coaching, where he now helps venue owners optimize their sales techniques and overall business operations. He emphasizes the importance of prompt communication, leveraging automation, and striking the right balance between data-driven decisions and exceptional customer service. Additionally, Kyle discusses how his marketing company, Elevate Revenue Marketing, supports venue owners in generating leads and increasing revenue through strategic digital marketing. 

About Our Guest: 

Kyle LaBarre is the founder of Elevate Revenue Marketing and the host of The Venue Coach podcast, both dedicated to helping wedding venues increase sales through expert coaching, training, and digital marketing strategies. His journey began with a mission to enhance online marketing for Black Oak Wedding Venue, where he successfully implemented strategies to attract more leads and boost revenue.

Recognizing the effectiveness of his approach, Kyle expanded his services to support other wedding venues in strengthening their online presence, generating high-quality leads through SEO and ad management, and optimizing their sales processes. Today, he plays a key role in shaping the growth and direction of Elevate Revenue Marketing, equipping venue owners with the strategies and tools they need to thrive. While he wears many hats, his primary focus remains on helping venues maximize their sales opportunities and achieve long-term success in an increasingly competitive industry.

Find Him Here: 

Website: https://www.elevaterevmarketing.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theweddingvenuecoach/

Facebook: facebook.com/thevenuecoach

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6sYvJ2Nhi9xn2cwfkjvuBu?si=b04054ac580e4ae6

In this week’s episode of The Venue Rx Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Colleen Carswell, a seasoned fractional Chief Operating Officer with extensive experience in the wedding and events industry. With a deep understanding of business operations and leadership, Colleen shares invaluable insights on the mindset shifts necessary for small business owners to scale successfully.

She dives into the common mental roadblocks entrepreneurs face, including challenges with money mindset, control, and delegation, and explains how overcoming these hurdles can unlock new levels of growth. Colleen also introduces the concept of "stay reviews"—an alternative to traditional performance or exit reviews—that fosters open communication, strengthens team dynamics, and helps retain top talent.

Beyond mindset, Colleen offers practical, actionable strategies for optimizing business operations. She discusses the power of time audits in identifying inefficiencies, the importance of delegation, and how a blend of digital and analog tools can create a seamless workflow. She helps wedding and event professionals improve their efficiency, profitability, and long-term sustainability.

About Our Guest: 

Colleen Carswell is a seasoned business strategist, integrator, and speaker with over 17 years of experience in hospitality and corporate sales. As a fractional Chief Operating Officer and systems expert, she has worked with a diverse range of organizations, including marketing agencies, tech startups, and health coaches, transforming disorganized operations into streamlined, scalable businesses.

Colleen specializes in optimizing workflows, implementing strategic tech solutions, and developing sustainable systems that drive efficiency and profitability. From comprehensive operational overhauls to targeted technology guidance, she has helped businesses successfully launch marketing campaigns, memberships, courses, and books.

Her mission is to create sustainable, scalable operations that allow business owners to focus on their passions while increasing profitability, productivity, and impact.

Find Her Here: 

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://structuredtoscale.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/colleencarswell_

Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@colleencarswell

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-carswell/

In this episode of The Venue RX Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin welcomes back Alan Berg, a leading expert in wedding venue sales, marketing, and business strategy. Alan shares his insights on the ever-changing wedding industry, focusing on how venues can adapt to shifting consumer behaviors and expectations.

A key topic of discussion is the impact of generational differences, particularly among Millennials (Gen Y) and Gen Z couples. Alan highlights how these younger generations approach wedding planning differently, relying heavily on digital research, online reviews, and instant communication. He stresses the importance of reducing friction in the sales process by ensuring venues provide clear, accessible information and respond quickly and effectively to inquiries.

Alan also discusses the need for venues to refine their communication strategies, offering seamless and personalized interactions that build trust and engagement. In an increasingly competitive market, he explains, the venues that prioritize customer experience—through fast responses, tailored messaging, and user-friendly digital platforms—will stand out and attract more bookings.

Alan provides actionable advice on how wedding venues can enhance their marketing, improve their client interactions, and ultimately, secure more business by aligning their strategies with the expectations of today’s tech-savvy couples.

About Our Guest: 

Alan Berg, CSP, is a renowned speaker, author, and business consultant specializing in the wedding and events industry. With over 25 years of experience, he has become a trusted advisor to businesses aiming to enhance their sales and marketing strategies. Alan has authored seven books and hosts the "Wedding Business Solutions" podcast, where he shares insights on business growth and client engagement. Recognized as a Global Speaking Fellow, he has been listed among the "Top 100 Speakers to Watch in 2025" for the third consecutive year. His expertise lies in providing actionable guidance that helps businesses increase profitability and achieve sustainable growth.

Find Him Here: 

Phone: 732-422-6362

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://alanberg.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanberg/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanberg/

In this episode of The Venue RX podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with marketing expert Kai McInnes to explore the power of advertising for wedding venues. Kai shares his journey from managing marketing and sales at his family’s venue, The BarnYard, to co-founding The Wedding Marketers, a marketing agency dedicated to helping venues attract newly engaged couples through highly targeted advertising campaigns.

Throughout the conversation, Kai dives into the advantages of using paid ads over traditional wedding directories, explaining how strategic advertising can generate higher-quality leads and drive more bookings. He breaks down key performance metrics that every venue should track—such as cost per lead, conversion rates, and return on ad spend—highlighting how data-driven decisions can optimize marketing efforts.

Jonathan and Kai also explore the differences between the UK and US wedding markets, touching on cultural variations in booking behaviors and marketing approaches. Kai introduces the concept of “twilight weddings,” a popular trend in the UK that offers a later ceremony start time with an evening-focused reception, and discusses how venues can leverage creative packages like this to differentiate themselves. Beyond ads, Kai emphasizes the importance of authentic engagement and a comprehensive marketing strategy that nurtures leads from first contact to final booking.

About Our Guest: 

Kai McInnes, Co-Founder of The Wedding Marketers, developed a deep understanding of the wedding industry while working at his family’s venue, The BarnYard. In 2020, he took over marketing and sales, driving exponential growth while maintaining exceptionally high profit margins. Through refining his strategies, he created a proven framework that other venues can replicate to achieve similar success. Now, through The Wedding Marketers, he empowers venue owners with the tools and systems needed to accelerate growth, increase bookings, and maximize profitability.

Find Him Here: 

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.theweddingmarketers.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theweddingmarketers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWeddingMarketers

In this week's episode of The Venue Rx podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Emily Walleman, a seasoned marketing strategist and Google Ads expert, to explore powerful marketing techniques for venue owners. Emily shares her journey from wedding planning to founding her own marketing agency, highlighting key lessons learned along the way.

She breaks down essential marketing metrics, including ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) and EPL (Expected Profit per Lead), and discusses how tracking these numbers can transform a venue’s advertising strategy. Emily emphasizes the importance of high-converting landing pages, effective tracking and reporting, and the critical first steps new venue owners should take when launching Google Ads campaigns.

With a passion for educating venue owners, Emily’s company is dedicated to helping them maximize their advertising budgets, increase visibility, and understand the fundamentals that drive long-term business success.

About Our Guest: 

Emily Walleman is the founder and CEO of Munde Marketing, a digital marketing agency specializing in scaling campaigns, building profitable strategies, and maximizing online visibility. With experience working with businesses of all sizes, she focuses on Google Ads, SEO, and comprehensive marketing strategies to drive engagement and increase sales. Emily and her team help clients achieve high returns on ad spend, generate leads, and enhance brand awareness.

Find Her Here: 

Website: https://mundemarketing.com/

Book A Call: https://mundemarketing.hbportal.co/schedule/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilywalleman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-walleman/

In this week’s episode of The Venue Rx, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with marketing expert Heidi Yarger to explore the crucial role of branding and marketing in the wedding venue industry. Heidi highlights the power of storytelling and the necessity of a strong online presence, emphasizing that venues must craft a compelling brand narrative to connect with their ideal couples.

Heidi shares her expertise on developing a cohesive branding strategy, stressing that every touchpoint—from a venue’s website to its social media presence—should be intentional and aligned with its target audience. She provides actionable insights on conducting brand and website audits, helping venue owners identify gaps and areas for improvement. Heidi highlights essential fixes, such as repairing broken links, optimizing social media bios for clarity and consistency, and improving website navigation to enhance the client experience. Additionally, she offers valuable resources and practical tools to help venue owners refine their brand identity, elevate their marketing efforts, and stand out in an increasingly competitive market.

About Our Guest: 

Heidi Yarger is Founder and Creative Director of Spitfiregirl. For the past 16 years, she’s been the not-so-secret-weapon for some of the biggest names in the wedding industry. With strategic branding and captivating design, she and her team have helped award-winning luxury event planners, wedding photographers, floral designers, invitation designers, bridal dress designers, celebrity makeup artists, sought-after wedding venues like Camp Lucy and High Frontier, and top blogs like Style Me Pretty, Ruffled, and Rocky Mountain Bride elevate their brand visibility, amplify their online presence, and maximize their revenue potential.

Blending deep industry insight and digital branding expertise with honesty, humor, and a bit of “spitfire” - Heidi ensures your audience is educated and entertained. Her immersive, no-nonsense approach has made her a sought-after speaker at WeWed, The Coterie Retreat, Bridal Show Producers International, Rooted in the Rockies, and a repeat speaker at Altitude Summit. Her design work has been spotlighted in Print Magazine, How Design, and Logo Lounge, with additional features in Canvas Rebel, Bold Journey, The Everygirl, and California Home & Design.

Find Her Here: 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.spitfiregirldesign.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespitfiregirl/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiyarger/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thespitfiregirl/

This week on The Venue RX Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Elizabeth Solaru, a former microbiologist who transformed her passion into a thriving career as a luxury cake designer. Elizabeth shares her inspiring journey from science to entrepreneurship, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the luxury wedding and events industry. She dives into the key strategies that helped her build a world-renowned brand, from leveraging media exposure to fostering emotional connections with clients. With a focus on resilience, networking, and meticulous attention to detail, Elizabeth provides invaluable insights for aspiring luxury brand owners looking to stand out in a competitive market.

About Our Guest: 

Elizabeth Solaru is an internationally renowned luxury cake designer, entrepreneur, and founder of Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium, a globally recognized brand known for creating exquisite, bespoke wedding and celebration cakes. With a background in microbiology and a successful career as a headhunter before venturing into the world of cake artistry, Elizabeth has become one of the most sought-after cake designers in the luxury events industry.

Her signature style combines intricate sugarcraft, elegant designs, and flawless craftsmanship, making her cakes a favorite among royalty, celebrities, and high-profile clients worldwide. She has won multiple awards for her work, including recognition as one of the world’s top wedding cake designers by prestigious publications.

Beyond cake artistry, Elizabeth is a respected speaker, educator, and author. She regularly shares her expertise at international industry events, training aspiring cake designers and event professionals. Her book, Opulencia: Artisan Baking & Sugarcraft, showcases her signature luxury cake designs and techniques.

Elizabeth’s work has been featured in top-tier publications like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Tatler, and Brides, and she has appeared on television shows such as BBC’s The Apprentice and Food Network’s Extreme Cake Makers. She continues to innovate and inspire in the world of luxury cake design, setting new standards for excellence and creativity.

Find Her Here: 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://luxurybusinessemporium.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-solaru-1ba901/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethscakeemporium/

This week onThe Venue RX Podcast, Jonathan Aymin sits down with Anja Winikka, founder of Freeda, to discuss the power of community in the wedding industry. Anja shares her journey from her time atThe Knot to creating Freeda, an exclusive network that connects established wedding professionals for collaboration, resource sharing, and support.

She highlights the importance of openness and vulnerability, especially when engaging with the next generation of industry professionals who bring fresh ideas and perspectives. Jonathan and Anja also explore how a strong community can help wedding professionals overcome challenges and grow sustainable businesses. Anja offers a behind-the-scenes look at Freeda’s application process, the impact of small group dynamics, and the value of in-person events in fostering deeper connections. She reinforces that success in the wedding industry isn’t just about talent and strategy, it’s about building meaningful relationships and learning from one another.

About Our Guest: 

Based in New York City, Anja Winikka brings nearly two decades of expertise in digital marketing, content strategy, PR, and brand partnerships within the weddings and events industry. Anja has a proven track record of growing both consumer and B2B audiences in the weddings and events space. She is widely recognized for her deep, two-sided industry knowledge and her ability to align audience segments with the right branding, PR, and content strategies. Her work has helped numerous brands 10X their organic reach and secure top-tier media placements in Harper’s Bazaar, BRIDES, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, and more.

Previously, Anja was the founder of Maroo, a Y Combinator-backed payments platform designed specifically for the weddings and events industry. Within just one year of launch, she successfully onboarded over 7,000 small wedding businesses nationwide.

In 2024, Anja foundedFreeda, a private, invite-only network designed for established wedding and event business owners. Freeda connects members with their own curated advisory group of industry peers, offering a trusted space for collaboration, strategic guidance, and business growth. More than just a network, Freeda serves as a mastermind community where experienced professionals can share insights, navigate challenges, and accelerate their success through high-level discussions and exclusive resources.

Find Her Here: 

Email:[email protected]

Website:https://www.joinfreeda.com/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/joinfreeda